A fond farewell to familiar face after 65 years

Becca Choules

A sporting goods business and saddlery that has been trading for more than six decades will close its doors for the last time on Saturday.

Dennis’ of Tring first opened 65 years ago and now third generation owner Martyn Dennis is saying goodbye to the business after 40 years at the helm.

The shop, at 98 Tring High Street, was first opened by Martyn’s grandfather Aubrey Dennis in 1949 before it was handed down to his son – and Martyn’s father – Ronald, and then Martyn, now 65, took it on 40 years ago.

The shop – which first opened in Kingsbury, Aylesbury in 1928 before closing eight years ago – sells everything from footballs to leather handbags and was the trusted supplier of Tring School’s student uniform for many years.

Martyn, who lives in Haddenham, didn’t go into detail about the reasons behind the closure, but assured customers it was not because of financial issues. He said: “It’s a very buoyant business.”

And with tongue firmly in cheek, he said: “When we first opened in 1949, we were told by the locals that we wouldn’t last long because they didn’t like outsiders from Aylesbury coming in – so we stayed for 65 years out of spite!

“I’ve had 40 lovely years and our customers are lovely people. We will miss them enormously.”

Though Martyn does not live in the town, he still has business connections in Tring so former customers may well see him around.

The town’s residents took to social media to express their sadness and take a trip down memory lane, with more than 50 comments on the Tring Memories Facebook page.

One said: “What a wonderful shop – a real Tring institution. I remember buying my first football boots there in the early 1960s, and a big trunk in 1979 that I still use.”

Another recalled: “I got my very first riding hat from there years ago – I can remember the excitement even now. Very sad news.”

Another said: “As a child I remember pressing my nose at the window, dreaming of owning a leather football!”